Induction of hsp70, alterations in oxidative stress markers and apoptosis against dichlorvos exposure in transgenic Drosophila melanogaster: Modulation by reactive oxygen species

We examined a hypothesis that reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by organophosphate compound dichlorvos modulates Hsp70 expression and anti-oxidant defense enzymes and acts as a signaling molecule for apoptosis in the exposed organism. Dichlorvos (0.015-15.0 ppb) without or with inhibitors of Hsp70, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were fed to the third instar larvae of Drosophila melanogaster transgenic for hsp70 (hsp70-lacZ) Bg(9) to examine Hsp70 expression, oxidative stress and apoptotic markers. A concentration- and time-dependent significant increase in ROS generation accompanied by a significant upregulation of Hsp70 preceded changes in antioxidant defense enzyme activities and contents of glutathione, malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl in the treated organisms. An inhibitory effect on SOD and CAT activities significantly upregulated ROS generation and Hsp70 expression in the exposed organism while inhibition of Hsp70 significantly affected oxidative stress markers induced by the test chemical. A comparison made among ROS generation, Hsp70 expression and apoptotic markers showed that ROS generation is positively correlated with Hsp70 expression and apoptotic cell death end points indicating involvement of ROS in the overall adversity caused by the test chemical to the organism. The study suggests that (a) Hsp70 and anti-oxidant enzymes work together for cellular defense against xenobiotic hazard in D. melanogaster and (b) free radicals may modulate Hsp70 expression and apoptosis in the exposed organism.

Association of polymorphism in MDM-2 and p53 genes with breast cancer risk in Indian women

PURPOSE

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at position -309 (T309G) in MDM-2 promoter induces tumor formation in the individuals possessing inherited p53 mutations. The present study was undertaken to investigate the association of MDM-2 SNP309, p53 Arg72Pro, and p53 intron-6 G/A polymorphism with total, premenopausal, and postmenopausal breast cancer risks in Indian women.

METHODS

Genotyping of MDM-2 SNP309, p53 Arg72Pro, and p53 intron-6 G/A in 104 patients and 105 controls was performed either by ARMS-PCR or by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing.

RESULTS

The p53 Arg72Pro heterozygous variant and in combination with its homozygous variant exhibited a significant protective association with total (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.42 [0.22-0.81] and 0.46 [0.25-0.85], p value; 0.007 and 0.012) and postmenopausal breast cancer risk (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.25 [0.07-0.73] and 0.27 [0.08-0.77], p value; 0.009 and 0.013]. Neither combined nor homozygous/heterozygous MDM-2 SNP309G was associated with total, premenopausal, or postmenopausal breast cancer risk; however, MDM-2 SNP309G, along with p53 Arg72Pro heterozygous variant, showed a significant protective association with premenopausal breast cancer risk (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.18 [0.02-1.20], p value; 0.041 for homozygous + heterozygous MDM-2 SNP309G).

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate protective associations of p53 Arg72Pro heterozygous variant with postmenopausal and MDM-2 SNP309G along with p53 Arg72Pro heterozygous variant with premenopausal breast cancer risk.

Adverse effect of organophosphate compounds, dichlorvos and chlorpyrifos in the reproductive tissues of transgenic Drosophila melanogaster: 70kDa heat shock protein as a marker of cellular damage

The study highlights the adverse effects of organophosphate compounds dichlorvos and chlorpyrifos on reproduction in Drosophila. Freshly eclosed first instar larvae of Drosophila melanogaster transgenic for hsp70 (hsp70-lacZ) Bg(9) were fed on 0.015-150.0ppb dichlorvos and chlorpyrifos mixed food. Virgin flies eclosing from the normal and contaminated food were pair-mated to examine the effect of the test chemicals on reproduction of the exposed organisms. Expression of hsp70, sex peptide (SP or Acp70A), accessory gland protein (Acp36DE) and tissue damage was examined in reproductive organs of adult fly. Exposed organisms exhibited a dose-dependent significantly reduced reproductive outcome and males were found to be more sensitive than females. Hsp70 expression was restricted only within the testis lobes of male fly while it was not induced in the ovary of the female. In concurrence with absence of hsp70 expression in the accessory glands of male fly, tissue damage was evident in them. Acp70A and Acp36DE expression were found to be significantly downregulated at the higher concentrations of the test chemicals. The study suggests that (i) dichlorvos is more deleterious to fly reproduction compared to chlorpyrifos with an adverse effect on Acp70A and Acp36DE expression required to facilitate normal reproduction; (ii) hsp70 may be used as a marker of cellular damage against dichlorvos and chlorpyrifos in Drosophila.

Chlorinated pesticide concentration in semen of fertile and infertile men and correlation with sperm quality

In recent years controversy has evolved regarding the role of environmental pollutants especially chlorinated pesticides and heavy metals on male infertility. Previous data generated on the correlation of chlorinated pesticides with human semen are scarce and controversial. The objective is to explore the possibility of correlation if any between the chlorinated pesticides and sperm count and motility. Semen analysis were performed in 50 samples collected each from fertile and infertile men and pesticides estimation for dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (DDE); 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl ethane) (pp'DDT); 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (pp'DDD), 1,1,1-trichloro-2-(o-chlorophenyl)-2-(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (op'DDT), aldrin, hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers alpha (α), beta (β), gamma (γ), delta (δ) were done by gas liquid chromatography. The higher concentrations of pesticide, viz. α-, β-, γ-, δ-HCH, DDT and its metabolites (pp'DDE and pp'DDD) were detected in semen samples of infertile males. The data showed significant association between β-HCH, γ-HCH, pp'DDE, pp'DDD with semen quality parameters.

Visual loss in the setting of allergic fungal sinusitis: pathophysiology and outcome

Objective:

To hypothesise the probable pathophysiological mechanism responsible for visual loss in allergic fungal sinusitis, other than direct compression.

Design:

Retrospective, non-randomised case series. Out of 274 cases of allergic fungal sinusitis, four cases with sudden visual loss were enrolled into the study. The fourth case had visual loss on the contralateral side to bony erosion of the lateral wall of the sphenoid sinus.

Interventions:

All four cases were evaluated with fungal smear, immunoglobulin (Ig) E titres, visual evoked potentials, non-contrast computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the paranasal sinuses, and fundus examination. They then underwent endoscopic sinus debridement followed by intravenous methylprednisolone.

Outcome measures:

Improvement in vision.

Results:

All four cases experienced an improvement in vision: full recovery in three cases and partial improvement in one case.

Conclusion:

In view of the operative, radiological and laboratory findings for case four, with the suggestion of a hyperimmune response to fungal antigens (in the form of raised IgE titre and positive fungal serology), we suggest that a local immunological reaction to fungal antigens might be responsible for the observed visual loss in cases of allergic fungal sinusitis, in addition to mechanical compression of the optic nerve.

Respiratory effects due to occupational exposure to formaldehyde: Systematic review with meta-analysis

Subjects exposed to organic solvents frequently complain of respiratory symptoms. Epidemiological studies conducted in these exposed subjects with special reference to respiratory effects are very few and that too are on very small number of subjects. This paper critically reviews most of the epidemiological studies in formaldehyde induced respiratory effects and combines them through meta analysis to get global precise estimates of the respiratory risks.A computerized bibliographic search revealed 16 epidemiological studies out of which 12 studies were considered for meta analysis. The symptoms of upper respiratory tract were more prevalent as the combined odds of exposed was 5.04 compared to controls. The pooled odds ratio for acute lower respiratory symptoms ranged between 1.85 and 2.91. The mean fall of FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC was only 3.4%, 3.6% and 0.6% respectively, which was not statistically or physiologically considered significant.

DNA damage and mutagenicity induced by endosulfan and its metabolites

Endosulfan is a widely used broad-spectrum organochlorine pesticide, which acts as a contact and stomach poison. Nontarget species, such as cattle, fish, birds, and even humans, are also affected. Studies on the genotoxicity and mutagenicity of endosulfan have been inconsistent and nothing is known about the genotoxicity of its metabolites. In the present study, endosulfan (as a commercial isomeric mixture and as the alpha- and beta-isomers), and metabolites of endosulfan (the sulfate, lactone, ether, hydroxyether, and diol derivatives) were assayed for their ability to induce DNA damage in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and human lymphocytes using the Comet assay and were assayed for their mutagenicity using the Salmonella reversion assay (Ames test with TA98, TA97a, TA102, TA104, and TA100, with and without S9 activation). The compounds produced statistically significant (P < 0.01), concentration-dependent (0.25-10 microM) increases in DNA damage in both CHO cells and human lymphocytes. Endosulfan lactone caused the most DNA damage in CHO cells, while the isomeric mixture of endosulfan produced the greatest response in lymphocytes. The test compounds also were mutagenic in Salmonella strains at concentrations of 1-20 mug/plate (P < 0.05), with TA98 being the most sensitive strain and the diol and hydroxyether metabolites producing the highest responses. The results indicate that exposure to sublethal doses of endosulfan and its metabolites induces DNA damage and mutation. The contribution of the metabolites to the genotoxicity of the parent compound in Salmonella and mammalian cells, however, is unclear, and the pathways leading to bacterial mutation and mammalian cell DNA damage appear to differ.

Possible mechanism of pesticide toxicity-related oxidative stress leading to airway narrowing

The study was conducted to assess the magnitude of oxidative stress and lung function abnormalities in 34 male pesticide sprayers on exposure to pesticides in mango plantations. Biochemical studies on blood antioxidant enzymes revealed an unchanged glutathione level and increased level of malondialdehyde (P < 0.001), which indicates that pesticide sprayers may have suffered from oxidative stress. Decreased acetyl-cholinesterase levels (P < 0.001) in sprayers compared to the controls suggest inhibition of cholinesterase activity. The present study shows that pesticide toxicity might lead to oxidative stress and airway narrowing resulting in decreased peak expiratory flow rate.

Behavioral and neurochemical effects induced by pyrethroid-based mosquito repellent exposure in rat offsprings during prenatal and early postnatal period

Synthetic pyrethroids, besides their use in agriculture, are prevalently used in our houses as mosquito repellent (MR) in the form of aerosol, mats, coils and liquid vaporizers. Inhalation of fumes of the MR/liquid vaporizers may get entry into the brain by breaching the developing blood-brain barrier, hence deleterious to developing nervous system and can lead to long-term functional deficits. In the present study the consequence of MR exposure has further been investigated at various stages of development, evaluating free radical mediated effect pertinent to neurobehavioral and neurochemical functioning. Rat pups were exposed to pyrethroid-based MR (allethrin 3.6% w/v, 8 h/day through inhalation) during prenatal (GD1-20), postnatal (PND1-30) and perinatal (GD1-PND30) period of development and assessments were made on PND31. We observed significant oxidative stress, where an increase in lipid peroxidation and a decrease in antioxidants, glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase in various brain areas (cerebellum, corpus striatum, frontal cortex and hippocampus) were evident at all the exposure schedules. The hippocampus was the most affected region and further exhibited altered cholinergic functioning in the form of significant decrease in cholinergic (muscarinic) receptor binding (prenatal 32%, postnatal 35%, perinatal 38%) and inhibition in acetylcholinesterase activity (prenatal 20%, postnatal 31% and perinatal 33%). The neurochemical changes were found to accompany decrease in learning and memory performance in exposed rats, the function governed by hippocampus. The result suggests that pyrethroid-based MR inhalation during early developmental period may have adverse effect on developing nervous system causing cholinergic dysfunction leading to learning and memory deficit.

A Study on the Association of Cytochrome-P450 1A1 Polymorphism and Breast Cancer Risk in North Indian Women

Cytochrome P-450 1A1 (CYP1A1) is involved in the 2-hydroxylation of estrogens and mammary carcinogens into 2-hydroxy catechol metabolites. Many commonly occurring single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) are reported in CYP1A1 in various populations that include, isoleucine to valine substitution at 462 codon in heme binding region in exon 7 (A to G transition at position 2455; M2), threonine to asparagine substitution at codon 461 (C to A transversion at position 2453; M4), T to C transition at 3801 position (M1) and T to C transition at position 3205 (M3) in 3' non-coding region. Epidemiological studies have shown inconsistent patterns between CYP1A1 polymorphism and breast cancer risk among various populations. Most of the studies have shown significant association between CYP1A1 genotype polymorphism and breast cancer risk. The present investigation was therefore undertaken to investigate the association of M1, M2, M3 and M4 polymorphisms and their subsequent contribution in premenopausal and postmenopausal women with breast cancer risk in north Indian women. Genomic DNA was isolated from case controls and breast cancer patients, specific segments of genomic DNA were amplified and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was performed. CYP1A1 expression and catalytic activity were also assessed in premenopausal and postmenopausal case controls and patients. Polymorphism at M1, M2 and M4 alleles was detected and odds ratio for W/M1 and M1/M1 was calculated as 1.07 (95% CI, 0.59-1.87) and 0.74 (95% CI, 0.28-1.96) respectively. Odds ratio for W/M1 and M1/M1 alleles in premenopausal and postmenopausal women was 1.09 (95% CI, 0.45-2.49)/0.62 (95% CI, 0.10-2.66) and 1.60 (95% CI, 0.60-4.22)/1.06 (95% CI, 0.22-7.33) respectively. Odds ratio for W/M4 and M4/M4 allele was 1.20 (95% CI, 0.65-2.24)/4.55 (95% CI, 0.44-226.2) and 0.96 (95% CI, 0.36-2.64)/4.51 (95% CI, 0.23-273.0) respectively in total and premenopausal women. In postmenopausal women odds ratio was calculated as 1.16 (95% CI, 0.45-2.94) for M4/W but it could not be detected for M4/M4 since this genotype was not found in any postmenopausal case controls. Odds ratio for W/M2 genotype was calculated 0.57 (95% CI, 0.28-1.02), 1.06 (95% CI, 0.40-2.47) and 0.33 (95% CI, 0.12-0.89) respectively for total, premenopausal and postmenopausal women, however, in any group the odds ratio for M2/M2 could not be detected as M2/M2 genotype was not found in breast cancer patients. Polymorphism at M1 and M4 alleles was not found significantly associated with breast cancer risk and only wild type genotype was found in case controls and patients for M3 allele. Lack of protective association between CYP1A1 M2 genotype was also observed, however, in postmenopausal women a significant protective association with breast cancer risk was found (odds ratio, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.12-0.89; P-value 0.03). Similarly, no significant alteration in CYP1A1 expression and catalytic activity was observed in wild type and variant genotypes both in premenopausal and postmenopausal patients as compared with their respective controls. The results obtained from the present investigation thus suggest that probably CYP1A1 (M1, M2, M3, and M4) polymorphism alone does not play a significant role in the breast cancer risk in north Indian women.

Prediction model for peak expiratory flow in North Indian population

OBJECTIVE

To establish a model for predicting peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in North Indian healthy population. Study subjects. Eight hundred and ninety-seven healthy, non-smoker individuals (681 males and 216 females) in the age group of 10-60 years.

METHODS

The study was carried out at a health exhibition organised by the Government of Uttar Pradesh, at King George's Medical University, Lucknow. Only healthy, non-smoker individuals were enrolled for the study. Age was noted in completed years and weight in kg and height in cm were taken without shoes. PEFR was measured by Mini Wrights peak flow meter in standing position after prior instructions and demonstration of technique to each individual. The test was performed three times on each subject and best of the three attempts was selected for data computation. The statistical solftware SPSS was used to fit the model and perform residual analysis.

RESULTS

The highest reading for males was recorded in the age group of 20 to 24 years and for females in the age group of 25 to 29 years. Using age, height and weight, we established a regression model for predicting PEFR values for males and females separately in the age group 19-60 years. In the age group 10-18 years, the model for predicting PEFR was same for both the sexes. PEFR values were found to be more in males as compared to females. The predictive power of the model as described by explained variation was found to be 80 and 82 percent for males and females, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Prediction model for north Indian subjects was drafted for age range 10-60 years. While separate models were required for males and females because of sex related differences in the age group 19-60 years, a common model sufficed for age group 10-18 years.

DNA damage in lymphocytes of Indian rickshaw pullers as measured by the alkaline Comet assay

Rickshaw pullers (RPs) engage in strenuous physical activity and are exposed to the air pollutants found in urban environments. Air pollutants and the reactive oxygen species generated by the physical activity both potentially can damage DNA. In the present study, the Comet assay, a sensitive tool for measuring DNA damage in single cells, was used to study genomic DNA damage in lymphocytes of Indian RPs. The study evaluated DNA damage in 118 healthy male volunteers, including 63 RPs whose work demanded high levels of physical activity for 7-9 hr/day, and 55 controls matched for age, habits, socio-economic status, and exposure to air pollution. A significant increase was found for the mean Olive tail moment (arbitrary units) among the RPs (4.13 +/- 0.11; P < 0.001) in comparison with the controls (3.21 +/- 0.10). Likewise, comet tail length (microm) (RPs: 58.98 +/- 1.01 vs. controls: 52.38 +/- 1.24) and tail DNA (%) (RPs: 13.52 +/- 0.31 vs. controls: 10.04 +/- 0.24) were also significantly higher for RPs compared with those of their matched controls (both, P < 0.001). To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that physical activity due to occupation can produce DNA damage in peripheral lymphocytes.

Biomonitoring of organochlorines in women with benign and malignant breast disease

Established risk factors for breast cancer explain breast cancer risk only partially. Organochlorines are considered to be a possible cause for hormone-dependent cancers. A hospital-based case-control study, the first from India, was conducted among 50 women undergoing surgery for breast disease to examine the association between organochlorine exposure and breast cancer risk. Blood, tumor, and surrounding adipose tissue of the breast were collected from the subjects with benign (control) and malignant breast (study) lesions and analyzed to determine organochlorine insecticides using a gas-liquid chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector. The alpha, beta, gamma, and delta isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), o,p'-DDT, p,p-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane were frequently detected in three specimens. Total HCH and total DDT levels were higher in the blood of the study group (25 cases) than in those of the controls (25 cases) with only gamma-HCH being significantly different (P<0.05). However, both total HCH and total DDT were higher in the tumor tissues of the controls than in those of the study group; gamma-HCH was significantly different (P<0.05). The level of total HCH (alpha-HCH was significantly different, P<0.05) was higher in the breast adipose tissue of the study group, whereas total DDT was higher in the breast adipose tissue of the control group. The distribution of known confounders of breast cancer including age, body mass index, age at menarche and menopause, duration of breast feeding, and family history related to breast disease did not differ significantly between benign and malignant groups. This pilot study with limited statistical power does not support a positive association between exposure to organochlorines and risk of breast cancer but paves the way for a larger Indian study with greater statistical power encompassing different regions of the country to enable statistically sound conclusions.

Proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine balance in gasoline exhaust induced pulmonary injury in mice

Proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine balance and associated changes in pulmonary bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of unleaded gasoline exhaust (GE) exposed mice were investigated. Animals were exposed to GE (1 L/min of GE mixed with 14 L/min of compressed air) using a flow-past, nose-only, dynamic inhalation exposure chamber for different durations (7, 14, and 21 days). The particulate content of the GE was found to be 0.635, +/-0.10 mg PM/m3. Elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were observed in BALF of GE-exposed mice, but interleukin 1beta(IL-1beta) and the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) remained unaffected. GE induced higher activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (gammaGT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the BALF, indicating Type II alveolar epithelial cell injury, Clara-cell injury, and general toxicity, respectively. Total protein in the BALF increased after 14 and 21 days of exposure, indicating enhanced alveolar-capillary permeability. However, the difference in the mean was found statistically insignificant in comparison to the compressed air control. Total cell count in the BALF of GE-exposed mice ranged between 0.898 and 0.813x10(6) cells/ml, whereas the compressed air control showed 0.65x10(6) cells/mL. The histopathological changes in GE-exposed lung includes perivascular, and peribronchiolar cuffing of mononuclear cells, migration of polymorphonuclear cells in the alveolar septa, alveolar thickening, and mild alveolar edematous changes indicating inflammation. The shift in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine balance and elevation of the pulmonary marker enzymes indicate toxic insult of GE. This study will help in our understanding of the mechanism of pulmonary injury by GE in the light of cytokine profiles, pulmonary marker enzymes, and lung architecture.

DNA damage in lymphocytes of rural Indian women exposed to biomass fuel smoke as assessed by the Comet assay

The Comet assay has found wide acceptance in monitoring human genotoxicity caused by lifestyle and occupational and environmental factors. In the present study, we have used the Comet assay to measure the DNA damage in a population of rural Indian women cooking with biomass fuels (BMFs; fire wood and cow dung cakes). Out of 144 volunteers, 70 used BMFs for domestic cooking, while the remaining 74 used liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and served as a reference population. All the individuals had comparable socioeconomic backgrounds and were between 20 and 55 years of age. Significantly higher levels of DNA damage were observed for BMF users than for LPG users. For BMF users in comparison with the reference population, Olive tail moment was 3.83 +/- 0.15 (arbitrary units) vs. 2.77 +/- 0.07 (P < 0.001); % tail DNA was 11.19 +/- 0.35 vs. 8.29 +/- 0.20 (P < 0.001); and comet tail length (microm) was 51.15 +/- 1.37 vs. 40.26 +/- 0.88 (P < 0.001). Similar significant differences were found when the groups were stratified by age and length of exposure. This study suggests that exposure to BMF smoke leads to greater levels of DNA damage than exposure to LPG combustion products.

Comet assay responses in human lymphocytes are not influenced by the menstrual cycle: a study in healthy Indian females

The single-cell gel electrophoresis or Comet assay measures qualitative and quantitative DNA damage in single cells. Its simplicity and non-invasive nature has made it widely accepted for the monitoring of human genotoxicity, employing peripheral blood lymphocytes. Factors, such as gender, age, and dietary and smoking habits are known to affect the Comet assay responses in lymphocytes. However, there is no information regarding the influence of the menstrual cycle on the results of the assay in lymphocytes of females. A study was therefore undertaken among 18 healthy Indian female volunteers to assess the effect of the menstrual cycle on Comet assay responses. During a complete menstrual cycle, only minor changes were observed in the basal levels of DNA damage in the lymphocytes as evident by Comet parameters, such as tail length (microm), tail DNA (%) and Olive tail moment (arbitrary units). To assess the effect of the estrogen 17beta-estradiol (at physiological concentrations of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 nM) on the Comet assay responses, an in vitro study was conducted in the human lymphocyte cell line JM-1 and the breast cancer cell line MCF-7. As was evident from the Comet parameters, a significant (p < 0.01) concentration-dependent increase in the level of DNA damage was observed in the MCF-7 cells while no significant change was found in the JM-1 cells. The results indicate that the menstrual cycle does not influence the Comet assay responses in lymphocytes; hence, these can serve as a model for monitoring genotoxicity in females.

Correlation of chlorinated pesticides concentration in semen with seminal vesicle and prostatic markers

Semen samples of fertile and infertile men were analysed by gas liquid chromatography (GLC) for the presence of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene) (pp'-DDE); (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl ethane) (pp'-DDT); (1,1-dichloro-2,2 bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethane) (pp'-DDD); (1,1,1-trichloro-2-(o-chlorophenyl)-2-(p-chlorophenyl) ethane) (op'-DDT), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and its isomers alpha (alpha), beta (beta), gamma (gamma), delta (delta) and aldrin. The biochemical analysis of seminal vesicle and prostatic marker was done by spectrophotometer. The concentrations of alpha-, beta-, gamma-HCH, pp'-DDE and pp'-DDD were higher in the semen of infertile than in that of fertile men. An elevation in the fructose level along with decrease in the gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and acid phosphatase activity was noticed in infertile men as compared to fertile subjects. The data showed correlation between alpha-, beta-, gamma-HCH, pp'-DDE, pp'-DDD and seminal vesicle marker fructose and prostatic marker gamma-gluatamyl transpeptidase and acid phosphatase in infertile men. The study suggests that the chlorinated pesticides may influence the semen quality by affecting the seminal and prostatic functions in infertile men.

An environmental profile of brick kilns in Lucknow

Twenty two kilns in Lucknow were studied to identify the environmental hazards posed by the brick kilns and to quantify the environmental degradation which could be attributed to this industry. Study variables comprised SPM and RSPM levels, metal concentrations and total silica content in soil, temperature, humidity and noise levels in the work environment. Information's about the nature and type of kiln, fuel and water sources was also collected. 18.18 per cent of the kilns had moving steel chimneys with less than prescribed height. Approximately 1.89 + 0.87 acre of fertile agricultural land was used for manufacturing of clay brick per kiln, resulting in land degradation decrease in herb density and nutrient disorders in plants/trees in immediate vicinity. SPM level (93.3 mg/m3) was found to be much higher than the prescribed limit. The workers engaged in these kilns were at risk from dust and heat related diseases.